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Ryan O'Neal, Tatum O'Neal, Madeline Kahn, John Hillerman, P.J. Johnson ... see more see more... , Randy Quaid , Art Ellison , Jessie Lee Fulton , Burton Gilliam , Hugh Gillin , James N. Harrell , Yvonne Harrison , Kenneth Mars , Ed Reed , Liz Ross , Jack Saunders , Lila Water , Jody Wilbur , Noble Willingham , Bob Young II , Desmond Dhooge , Lila Waters

The year is 1936. Orphaned Addie Loggins (Tatum O'Neal, in her film debut) is left in the care of unethical travelling Bible salesman Moses Pray (Ryan O'Neal, Tatum's dad), who may or may not be her f... read more read more...ather. En route to Addie's relatives, Moses learns that the 9-year-old is quite a handful: she smokes, cusses, and is almost as devious and manipulative as he is. They join forces as swindlers, working together so well that Addie is averse to breaking up the team -- which is one reason that she sabotages the romance between Moses and good-time gal Trixie Delight (Madeline Kahn). Later, while attempting to square a $200 debt that Addie claims he owes her, Moses runs afoul of of a bootlegger (John Hillerman) and is nearly beaten to death by the criminal's twin-brother sheriff. Painfully pulling himself together, Moses gets Addie to her relatives, whereupon she adamantly refuses to leave his side. Photographed in black-and-white by Laszlo Kovacs, the film was made largely on location in Kansas and Missouri (an experience colorfully recalled by director Peter Bogdanovich in his 1972 book of essays Pieces of Time). 9-year-old Tatum O'Neal won a Best Supporting Actress Oscar, beating out costar Kahn. Paper Moon later became a short-lived TV series, starring Ryan O'Neal lookalike Christopher Connelly and future Oscar winner Jodie Foster. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

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91% liked it

10,115 ratings

Critics

91% liked it

32 critics

PG, 1 hr. 45 min.

Directed by: Peter Bogdanovich

Release Date: May 9, 1973

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DVD Release Date: August 12, 2003

Stats: 839 reviews

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Tatum O'Neal in Paper Moon Tatum O'Neal in Paper Moon Madeline Kahn & Ryan O'Neal in Paper Moon Tatum O'Neal in Paper Moon Ryan & Tatum O'Neal Ryan O'Neal & Tatum O'Neal in Paper Moon Trixie Delight Tatum O'Neal Madeline Kahn, Ryan O'Neal, & Burton Gilliam Burton Giliiam Tatum O'Neal Tatum and Ryan O'Neal John Hillerman Madeline Kahn in Paper Moon Trixie Delight and Imogene Ryan O'Neal Addie scowls Ryan O'Neal
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Flixster Reviews (839)

  • ajv2688
    December 30, 2010
    ajv2688
    Father Ryan O'Neal teams up with his daughter Tatum for this comedy adventure set in the 30s. The story is good, it's fun, and very funny too. I highly recommend this movie.
  • FrizzDrop
    August 2, 2010
    FrizzDrop
    Tatum swings into acting and comes out the other side to shock us all. I don't think Ryan could have played her traveling companion any better.
  • MissMorganLeee
    May 7, 2010
    MissMorganLeee
    Love Tatum O'neal and her dad! They are great. Its a classic. You must SEE IT!
  • MeetMeinMontauk
    February 1, 2010
    MeetMeinMontauk
    HOW have I NEVER seen this movie before?? Correction: How the HELL have I have never seen this movie before?? This film was fabulous!! I know Tatum O'Neal won an Academy award when she was young, but had no idea this was the film for it! She was tremendous!! Her expressions and a... read morettitude. I was entranced within minutes. Ryan O'Neal was also fantastic, especially being her father and playing a father role. Fabulous. Just fabulous.
  • flixsterman
    September 13, 2009
    flixsterman
    Depression era con-man Moses Pray (Ryan O'Neil) reluctantly accepts the responsibility of transporting orphaned Addie Loggins (Tatum O'Neil) from her deceased mother's graveside to her Aunt's farm in Missouri. Along the way Moses discovers that his 9-year-old travel companion is ... read morea better con-artist than he is. The two are more alike than either would dare to admit and eventually they form an odd but profound friendship.

    I'm not sure if it was the comforting familiarity of working with her father or if it was just a character perfectly suited for her talents, but Tatum O'Neil knocks my socks off every time I watch this movie. If ever a young actress deserved Oscar recognition, she's the one. The kid is just spectacular (and the film isn't bad either!).
  • DrZeek
    June 21, 2009
    DrZeek
    Addie Loggins: I want my two hundred dollars.
    Moses Pray: I don't have your two hundred dollars no more and you know it.
    Addie Loggins: If you don't give me my two hundred dollars I'm gonna tell a policeman how you got it and he'll make you give it to me because it's mine.
    Moses ... read morePray: But I don't have it!
    Addie Loggins: Then get it!
    Cafe Waitress: [walks over after Moses slams his fist on the table] How we doin', Angel Pie? We gonna have a little dessert when we finish up our hot dog?
    Addie Loggins: I don't know.
    Cafe Waitress: What do you say, Daddy? Why don't we give Precious a little dessert if she eats her dog?
    Moses Pray: Her name ain't Precious.

    Easily taking a place amongst my favorite con films, this movie is awesome. Its a lot of fun, stylish, very well written, great rhythmic dialog, and perfect chemistry between the two leads, who are father and daughter.

    Set in the depression era, Ryan O'Neal stars as a Moses Pray, a con man who suddenly arrives at a funeral. This is the funeral of the mother of a young girl named Addie, played by Tatum O'Neal. Addie has very little, dresses like a boy, complete with short hair, overalls, and flannel. She has an aunt in Missouri and manages to start traveling with Moses to that city. Moses may or may not be Addie's father and sees her presence initially as an inconvenience. Addie on the other hand, sees Moses pulling some schemes and attempts to join him in his business. The two form a team and despite constant bickering, they are quite good at scamming together.

    Moses Pray: I got scruples too, you know. You know what that is? Scruples?
    Addie Loggins: No, I don't know what it is, but if you got 'em, it's a sure bet they belong to somebody else!

    I really loved seeing these O'Neals together. They are wonderful. Ryan O'Neal has such a perfect delivery, holding up his accent, sleezy style, and attitude throughout and still making him a likable and fun character. Tatum O'Neal is nine years old in this film, but shows more talent than most actors here. She has a tricky character to play. She clearly doesn't know everything, but has the skills of a natural grifter. She doesn't act too feminine, but she doesn't like being mistaken for a boy. She's cute, but she doesn't try to be. And she bounces dialog off Moses in such a well handled way.

    There is a whole segment that involves the great Madeline Kahn as well, which slightly slows down the film, but is still a lot of fun and adds another great performance to the film, so it doesn't matter too much.

    Moses Pray: Now eat your Coney Island.

    Director Peter Bogdanovich, taking some advice from Orson Wells, decided to give the film a classy feel, giving more weight to its depression time period, by placing the film in black and white, which I think does add to the film. Its production design and costuming is well handled and gives the whole film a great feel and look.

    Just a wonderful and enjoyable film to watch.

    Moses Pray: I told you, I don't want you ridin' with me no more.
    Addie Loggins: You still owe me two hundred dollars.
  • hobster1
    January 25, 2009
    hobster1
    Road comedy set during the Great Depression about a father and daughter team who work as a couple of grifters. Hilarious, affectionate and stylish film makes excellent use of black and white cinematography. Director Peter Bogdanovich is at the top his game here.
  • fernandorafael
    July 27, 2008
    fernandorafael
    A wonderful and hilarious film. Beautifully shot and relying on a sharp script and a cool soundtrack, PAPER MOON is a marvelous achievement from Peter Bogdanovich. A 70's movie that looks and feels like a 30's movie (that's a good thing). The couple formed by Moses Pray (Ryan O'N... read moreeal) and Addie (Tatum O'Neal; real life father and daughter) is what makes this a classic. Both of them gave realistic and funny performances. Madeline Kahn and P.J. Johnson are the cherry on top. Fantastic movie.
  • tsigur
    December 9, 2007
    tsigur
    Didn't expect the dark turns in this one.
  • YosemiteSamFan
    August 4, 2007
    YosemiteSamFan
    A classic film set in depression-era america. Ryan and Tatum make a great pair of grifters. Some of their cons are hilarious. A nice period to visit.

View All Paper Moon Reviews

Critic Reviews

Jay Cocks
August 17, 2010
Jay Cocks, TIME Magazine

It is very fussy about period detail, and goes to some length to evoke the dim days of Depression America, while just about everything else is left to slide. Full Review

Roger Moore
May 13, 2009
Roger Moore, Orlando Sentinel

It's everything a road picture is supposed to be, a life-changing personal journey, a quest, a bit old-fashioned and a hoot. Full Review

Variety Staff
March 26, 2009
Variety Staff, Variety

Tatum O'Neal makes a sensational screen debut. Full Review

Vincent Canby
May 10, 2005
Vincent Canby, New York Times

The film never makes up its mind whether it wants to be an instant antique or a comment on one. Full Review

Roger Ebert
October 23, 2004
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times

I wonder how many moviegoers will be prepared for the astonishing confidence and depth that Tatum brings to what's really the starring role. Full Review

Dave Kehr
January 1, 2000
Dave Kehr, Chicago Reader

The images (by Laszlo Kovacs) have a lovely dusty openness -- a realistic view of the Midwestern flatlands fading into a romantic memory. Full Review

Wesley Lovell
August 15, 2011
Wesley Lovell, Oscar Guy

A cute little family drama about a young con artist and her father as they build a grifting empire. Full Review

Christopher Lloyd
January 17, 2011
Christopher Lloyd, Sarasota Herald-Tribune

What's most interesting about Paper Moon is that it has the tone and timbre of a comedy, but the setting and style of the film are somber and more reminiscent of a European art film. Full Review

Heather Boerner
December 18, 2010
Heather Boerner, Common Sense Media

Tatum O'Neal's smoke- and booze-filled caper. Full Review

August 17, 2010
TV Guide's Movie Guide

Bogdanovich's warmest film, featuring charming performances from real-life father and daughter Ryan and Tatum O'Neal. Full Review

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Facts

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    • Addie Loggins: I need to go to the shithouse.
    • Addie Loggins: I want my two hundred dollars.
    • Cafe Waitress: What do you say, Daddy? Why don't we give Precious a little dessert if she eats her dog?
    • Trixie Delight: Hurry up, Doctor. This baby gots to go winky tinky!
    • Moses Pray: Well, she ain't my grown-up and I ain't plannin' no more to sit in the back. Not for no cow!
    • Leroy: Will you keep your voice down? And Miss Delight ain't no cow. She's a proper woman. She has a high school diploma. And right now she's got to go to the bathroom, so you get on down to the car!
    • Trixie Delight: I just don't understand it, Daddy, but this little baby has got to go winky tinky all the time.
    • Addie Loggins: said to Moses: No, I don't know what it is, but if you got 'em, it's a sure bet they belong to somebody else!
    • Moses Pray: Don't you think I have any scruples?
    • Addie Loggins: Well, if you do, it's a sure bet they belong to someone else!
    • Moses Pray: Eat you're Coney Island!
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Paper Moon : Watch Free on TV

Paper Moon Trivia

  • Ryan O'Neil appears alongside his daughter and this classic "con" picture from the 1970s.  Answer »
  • Tatum O'Neal was the youngest person to win an Oscar for which film?  Answer »
  • Father and Daughter duo O'Neals, starred in which film, based off the novel, 'Addie Pray'?  Answer »
  • Tatum O'Neal and her father Ryan O'Neal star in 2 films together in the 1970's one is Paper Moon (1973) name the other one?   Answer »
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